Navigating nature's limits: How Maersk and WEG partnered to overcome the Amazon’s dry season challenges

2 四月 2025

When WEG S.A., a global leader in electrical engineering, needed to transport three massive transformers through the tricky terrains of the Amazon, they turned to a trusted partner - Maersk.

With a history spanning over six decades, WEG specialises in electric motors, power solutions, and industrial automation, serving industries from renewable energy to large-scale infrastructure. Having worked with Maersk on multiple complex projects, WEG knew that moving 600 tons of unique cargo through Brazil’s most challenging terrains required nothing short of precision and expertise.

The Challenge

Transport three transformers
Two units measuring 965cm × 469cm × 510cm
One unit measuring 945cm × 469cm × 464cm
Total cargo weight: 635 tons

Key Obstacles

Amazon's seasonal low water levels
Complex terrain navigation
Critical equipment sensitivity

The Solution

A multi-modal transport strategy combining specialised heavy-haul and accessory trucks for road transit, port-to-port sea transfers with strategic cargo consolidation, and river transport featuring real-time water level monitoring and precision draft management.

Key Drivers

Maersk Project Logistics conducted feasibility studies and detailed navigation planning to ensure synchronised transitions between transport modes, backed by expert equipment handling and real-time monitoring for on-schedule deliveries.

When the river runs low

The mission was clear but daunting - transport three transformers from WEG’s facility in Betim, Minas Gerais, to Silves, deep in the Amazon. The journey would require multiple modes of transport - specialised trucks, vessels, and a final river journey by barge. However, nature had other plans.

The dry season in the Amazon meant dangerously low water levels, restricting navigation and increasing the risk of delays. The sheer weight and dimensions of the cargo further complicated the operation—each transformer had to be handled with extreme care to prevent damage. For WEG, a delay or mishap wasn’t just costly; it could impact critical power infrastructure in the region.

A multi-modal logistics strategy to ensure a seamless transition between land, sea, and river transport

To execute this project, Maersk Project Logistics team conducted a comprehensive feasibility study and in-depth analysis - both crucial given the challenges of transporting goods during the Amazon's dry season. Navigability was a constant concern, with vessel and barge restricted by low water levels. As the team navigated the untamed wilderness, panthers watched in silent vigilance, their presence a haunting reminder of the jungle’s raw and unyielding spirit. Here’s how Maersk Project Logistics engineered the impossible.

Road Transport: The project began with the transport of three transformers by road, using three special trucks, along with 21 trucks carrying 94 volumes of accessories, moving from Betim, MG, Brazil, to Itaguaí, Sepetiba Port (POL). All cargo remained stored at the port until full consolidation, before proceeding with the sea shipment from Itaguaí, Sepetiba, to the port of Outeiro, in Belém do Pará, Brazil.

Sea Transport: At Itaguaí, all cargo was consolidated before setting sail to the Port of Outeiro in Belém, ensuring a controlled and efficient transfer. After successfully unloading the transformers, we conducted another navigability assessment for barge transport from Belém do Pará to Silves, Amazonas.

River Transport: The final leg was the most delicate. With fluctuating river depths, real-time monitoring was crucial. Once the navigability of the Amazon was confirmed, the transformers were carefully loaded onto a barge for the journey to Silves.

Upon arrival, the cargo was seamlessly transferred to its final site, where WEG’s team prepared for installation. Every step required technical precision, from handling the transformers to ensuring their secure placement.

Where expertise meets ambition

Thanks to meticulous planning and seamless coordination between Maersk Project Logistics and WEG, the operation was executed with precision. The transformers arrived on time and in perfect condition, reinforcing WEG’s commitment to powering industries and communities across Brazil.

By delivering these transformers safely, WEG and Maersk are fuelling the Azulão gas field project - a R$ 5.8 billion investment that will generate 950 MW of power, supporting Brazil’s growing energy demands. But this mission was more than just logistics; it was about keeping the lights on, driving economic growth, and strengthening the energy future of the Amazonas region.

This project is yet another milestone in the long-standing partnership between WEG and Maersk. Over the years, WEG has continually trusted Maersk with its most complex, high-value cargo transport needs, knowing that expertise, reliability, and innovation will carry every mission all the way.

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